556 
NATURAL DISPOSITIONS. — COMPORTMENT. 
disposition and temper of mind, will leave on the traveller a less 
unpleasing impression than that which he must receive from it when 
viewed morally. They appeared to possess a remarkably even temper, 
or otherwise, an admirable command over their resentment. I 
rarely observed any other expression of displeasure, than a change of 
countenance, or a more silent manner, or a thoughtful reserve ; and 
my own observation alone, would lead me to conclude that vehement 
anger is never to be found among them. This conclusion though 
not literally correct, may, confidently be taken as a general assertion 
very characteristic of the people. This quality cannot here, as in the 
Hottentot, be the mere negative effect of apathy ; because these men 
are widely distinguished from him, by a great share of animation. 
A lively activity keeps them constantly in health, and subdues all 
tendency to a melancholic or phlegmatic habit. 
Their pleasure and surprise are expressed without the least re- 
serve ; and perhaps if one of these natives were to be exhibited in 
the more polished society of our own country, he would be thought 
the most vulgar creature on earth, while the Hottentot would pass 
for a man of better breeding. But this part of their character must 
be defended from misinterpretation, and it must be declared that I 
never witnessed in their country, any of that low disrespectful 
boisterous freedom and rudeness which constitute vulgarity, according 
to the meaning which we attach to the term : as to the literal import 
of the word, no Bachapin is vulgar in manners, whatever some may 
be in rank, for as there is no perceptible difference between the 
address and behaviour of the Chief and of the lowest of his subjects, 
and as the highest personage in a country must be supposed to be so 
far remote from vulgarity as to be the best model of its opposite 
qualification ; consequently none of this tribe can possibly be called 
vulgar in either sense of the word. This was, in reality, the idea 
which their presence and manners always gave me ; and a manly con- 
fidence combined with respect untainted with servility, raised them 
equally in the scale of society, and in my opinion. 
They possess a considerable share of good-nature, and a readiness 
to render any assistance which personal service can give. The former 
